What’s not to love about tequila? One of Mexico’s most famous exports, the potent and tantalizing liquor originated in the town of Tequila in the state of Jalisco. The town of Tequila is located at the base of the Tequila Volcano. There, remarkable blue agave fields line the hillsides waiting to be converted into tequila one day. Today, there are many distilleries that offer a variety of historical and tequila tasting tours if you want to learn more about tequila in person. Maybe it’s time to plan a visit to Mexico to enjoy tequila in its birthplace? Amazing Mexico at (866) 883-0573 has great deals on travel packages to stay at the top resorts. Contact them today to take advantage of low-cost vacation packages before they sell out.  In the meantime, keep reading below for more history and facts about tequila.

 

 

History of Tequila

The origins of tequila date back to ancient times around 1000 B.C. when Aztecs in Jalisco created Pulque, which is an alcoholic beverage made from the fermented sap of the maguey plant. This fermented beverage from the agave plant was consumed in pre-Columbian central Mexico before the Spanish arrived. Pulque had the color of milk with a viscous consistency and a sour taste. The milky liquid was very highly regarded in Aztec culture. In fact, they worshipped two gods known for their relationship to booze. The first God was Mayahuel, who was the goddess of the maguey. The second God was her husband Patecatl, the god of pulque. Though the first documentation of pulque is found on stone walls in Jalisco that have been dated to around 200 A.D.

 

 

Arrival of the Spanish

In the 1500’s, the arrival of the Spanish prompted some adjustments to the preparation of pulque which set the path for making what we know today as tequila. History says that Spaniards worked to improvise with mud and agave in order to create a liquor similar to their favorite drink of choice at that time which was brandy. By doing so, the result was essentially the tequila that we know and love today.  In the early 1600’s, the Marquis of Altamira built the first large-scale distillery in Tequila, Jalisco. Later in the mid 1600’s, Tequila was officially under production in the city of Tequila, which was not officially established as a town until 1666.

 

 

Facts About Tequila

Tequila is best enjoyed neat without lime or salt. Also, did you know that all tequilas are mezcals, but not all mezcal is tequila? That is because tequila is made using 100% blue agave plant and mezcal can be produced using a variety of agave plants. In order to be considered a true tequila, it must contain at least 51% blue agave but 100% is preferred in the high end top quality tequilas. Also, it takes about 8 to 12 years for a blue agave plant to grow to maturity in order to be harvested to make tequila. There are many types of tequila today. If you try a Blanco or Silver Tequila, you will taste sweet citrus and fruit notes, roasted agave, or floral or herbal notes. If you try a Reposado tequila that is aged anywhere from 2-12 months in oak barrels, you will taste notes of wood, vanilla, and caramel, etc. Last but not least, Añejo tequilas are aged from 1 to 3 years for best results.

 

 

If you want to visit Mexico for a relaxing getaway, make sure to schedule a tequila tasting so you can try a variety of delicious tequilas for yourself. If you need helping making travel arrangements, contact Amazing Mexico at (866) 883-0573 They are a reputable and professional online travel agency that can help you with your travel plans. Plus, they work with Mexico’s top resorts in popular destinations including Puerto Vallarta, the Riviera Maya, Cabo and Cancun. If you want to treat yourself to an all-inclusive vacation experience at a luxury resort in Mexico, Amazing Mexico at (866) 883-0573 can make that happen for you. Contact them today to see which promotions and specials are going on right now. It’s tequila time! You deserve to pamper yourself and your loved ones with a wonderful getaway down south.